FUNERALS

Our staff is committed to supporting you and your family throughout the process of planning a Funeral Mass.  At the time of death, before calling your funeral home of choice, please call the Rectory Office at 925-846-4489 to schedule an appointment and to confirm availability of both the Priest and the Church.  The information provided here will help you prepare for your appointment and make the planning of the Funeral Mass easier during this difficult time. ​

Upcoming funerals

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
PLANNING A FUNERAL
The basic elements of a Catholic Funeral are the Vigil, the Funeral Liturgy (Mass), and the Committal Service.  We will will be available to describe these to you in more depth, as some of these are optional.  Below are a few additional details you may find helpful:

  • A Funeral Director associated with your funeral home or cemetery, such as Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services (CFCS) or others, may be involved in the transport of the body, flowers, etc. They may also be responsible for collecting the fees associated with the service (Church, Priest, Cantor, and Accompanist).  
  • The Catholic Community of Pleasanton offers Funeral Masses  Monday - Friday at 10:00 AM at St. Augustine Church or St. Elizabeth Seton Church. We can also do Funeral Masses in the St. Elizabeth Seton Chapel on a case by case basis. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are currently not offering receptions on site.
  • Family members and friends who are Catholic/Christian may serve as lectors. The privilege of being a pall bearer is at the family’s discretion. 
  • It is customary for a ‘pall’ to be placed over the coffin as a reminder of the baptismal garment of the deceased. Family members, if they wish, may assist in placing the pall over the coffin before the funeral liturgy begins.
  • Only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy. A book of the Gospels, a Bible or a cross may be used.
  • Filling out the form “Funeral Planning”, found below, before meeting with one of our priests will allow you more time to discuss details that are important to you and your family.
READINGS
In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the readings of the word of God. The readings tell of God’s designs for a world in which suffering and death will relinquish their hold on all whom God has called his own. A careful selection of one reading from each the Old and New Testaments for the Funeral Rites will provide the family with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes. Below you’ll find specific readings to choose from.  Biblical readings may not be replaced by nonbiblical readings.
Old Testament Readings
New Testament Readings
Gospel Readings​​
MUSIC
In times of grief and sorrow, we often turn to music as an expression of our faith. It can be a great source of comfort and consolation to the living. In the Funeral Liturgy, there are places where the singing of hymns is required: The Opening Hymn or Gathering Song (when we enter the church), The Hymn during the Presentation of Gifts, a Communion Hymn, The Song of Farewell, and a Recessional Hymn. It is traditional at Catholic funerals to sing a variation of the Ave Maria immediately after Holy Communion has been received.  A Cantor and Accompanist will assist with leading the assembly in song.  

Although a funeral is a time to pray and remember the deceased in prayer and song it is also an occasion to worship and praise almighty God for the gift of the person who has died.  For this reason, conscious  that we are gathered at a funeral to worship God, the only music permitted are approved hymns which you can find in the document below.  It is not permissible to have popular or secular songs or any form of electronic music during the Mass.
 
It is preferred that we use our locally approved Cantors during the Liturgy.  On occasion it may be permissible for a family member to sing a particular hymn during the Mass.

​SUGGESTED FUNERAL HYMNS
Gathering
Amazing Grace (John Newton)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWR0DOEWYuA
 
Here I Am, Lord (Dan Schutte)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBg-yDhM2KY
 
Be Not Afraid (Bob Dufford)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBg-yDhM2KY
 
I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Scott Soper)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeGZWTzR2n8
 
Responsorial Psalms
Ps. 23 Shepherd Me, O God (Marty Haugen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwL26YwoVw8
 
Ps. 27 The Lord Is My Light (Christopher Walker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA1u0FKWK8I
 
Ps. 25 To You, O Lord (Marty Haugen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9IaT4TRtxU
 
Gospel Acclamation
Celtic Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFvdHcrPhkw
 
Preparation of the Table
Here I Am, Lord (Dan Schutte)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBg-yDhM2KY
  
Prayer of St. Francis (Sebastien Temple)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs644Vp_mLM
 
How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIwTtV8s4Ao
 
Fly Like A Bird (Ken Canedo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYYsIxZ89MQ
 
Eucharistic Acclamations
Mass of Creation (Marty Haugen)
 
Communion
Bread of Angels (Curtis Stephan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XMGRUUFr0M
 
Bread of Life (Rory Cooney)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-7SIaTMgtY
 
Bread For The World (Bernadette Farrell)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oym_bNrQd_M
 
I Am The Bread of Life (Suzanne Toolan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvD0XJzOWQ4
 
On Eagles' Wings (Michael Joncas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elJuLI2mK4c
 
Sending Forth
We Shall Rise Again (Jeremy Young)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBOfKUSNs-k
 
Go Forth (Trevor Thomson)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7KTHSi5XNE
 
Go In Peace (Sarah Hart)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhf5nCja4p8
 
On Eagles Wings (Michael Joncas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elJuLI2mK4c
 
I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Scott Soper)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeGZWTzR2n8
REMARKS OF REMEMBRANCE
Remarks of Remembrance, also known as a Eulogy, is intended to be a short tribute to the life of the deceased.  The Eulogy can be offered by a family member or close friend. Here are guidelines to be followed:
​ 
  • If a Vigil is being held at the funeral home the night before the funeral this would be the preferred time for the Eulogies to be given. Another option is at the reception immediately following the funeral Mass or at the graveside.
  • Our policy is to permit one Eulogy during the Funeral Mass.  If other Eulogies are required, they must be done prior to the beginning of the Mass.
  • If a Eulogy is to be given at the funeral in the church, it must always follow Holy Communion.  The presider of the Mass will invite the Eulogist to approach the ambo at the appropriate time.
  • The Eulogy must be brief (no more than one typed page) and should concentrate upon the life of the loved one.  We greatly appreciate adherence to this requirement.
  • Humor and lightheartedness in a Eulogy should always take into account that we are gathered to pray in a Catholic church.
CREMATION
Where possible, it is preferred that the deceased’s body be present in a coffin for the funeral Mass with cremation to follow.  If this is not possible, and cremation is carried out before the funeral Mass is celebrated, the cremains are treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they came. It is essential that a worthy vessel to contain the ashes be used. Cremated remains must be buried intact and entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium or a grave. The church does not permit the scattering of cremated remains or retaining them in the home of a friend or relative. 
STIPEND & STOLE FEES

Parish Fees
The full offering goes to the Parish and are typically paid directly to the funeral home.
  • Funeral Vigil and / or Funeral Mass or Memorial Mass with or without Committal: $300.00
  • Funeral Liturgy Outside of Mass or Memorial at Mortuary: $200.00
  • Commendation of the Dead and Committal: $150.00
  • Committal (graveside service) only: $100.00

Professional Fees
Made payable to the artists providing music.
  • Accompanist $200
  • Cantor $150

PLEASE NOTE: The priests and deacons do not charge fees for their service. If the family wishes to provide an honorarium to the priest or deacon, it is solely at the family’s discretion. 

If you have additional questions, please contact Olga Morineau at 925-846-4489.

If you would like to download a PDF of this information, please click HERE.